Otti To Revive Star Paper Mill, Pushes For Energy Expansion In Abia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed ongoing efforts to revive the once-thriving Star Paper Mill in Aba, which ceased production due to power supply challenges.

The governor who made this disclosure during a facility tour of the Geometric Power plant in Aba, on Thursday, commended the management of Aba Integrated Power for the progress recorded in electricity generation and supply.

Governor Otti expressed regret that the paper mill, which was a major employer in Aba, shut down because of power inconsistencies and assured that steps were being taken to bring it back to life.

“In the last six months, we have been engaging to see how we can bring it back to production. I have had to visit AMCON and I think we are at the point where evaluation is being done. So hopefully, before the end of the year we will be able to have a landing because growing up around here Star Paper Mill was a behemoth, employing so many people and it operated on a 24-hour basis one of the most important factors if I remember correctly was power,” he said.

The governor further explained that the inconsistency of power supply was a major reason for the factory’s collapse.

“It was actually the inconsistency of power that made the Italian machines that were installed then for over $10 million by Union Bank. I think it was power that made it fail,” he added.

During the visit to the Geometric Power plant, Governor Otti commended the company for its efforts in electricity generation, noting that excess power from the facility should be wheeled to Umuahia rather than being sent to the national grid.

“I am happy to hear the progress that you have made. If you have 75 megawatts, that means there is still some power left in the second turbine, and I think it should be over 90 megawatts if you are operating at full capacity.

*The third turbine should also come on stream anytime soon because anytime it is not working you are losing money. You can never recall it,” he stated.

He disclosed that discussions were ongoing for the acquisition of the Umuahia power distribution network from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to enable Aba Power to supply excess power directly to the Abia State capital.

“On our own, I was telling Maximo (EU leader of delegation) that we are also discussing with Enugu DisCo on the acquisition of the Umuahia part of the ringed fence so that, when you have excess capacity monthly, instead of moving it to the national grid, you can just wheel it to Umuahia. I have had extensive discussions with Prof. Barth Nnaji, who sees that as a profitable possibility,” he said.

Governor Otti also welcomed the decision of Aba Power to establish new substations in some areas of Aba, such as Factory Road, noting that these would ensure improved electricity supply for businesses.

In his remarks, the head of corporations of the European Union delegation, Mr Massimo De Luca, said the team was in Aba to assess the progress of power distribution and explore potential partnerships.

“So, my presence here is to assess where we are in terms of the different forms of distribution, the possibility of developing different forms of franchise and to expand effective franchising in Abia and Nigeria, hoping that Abia will remain the lead and example to follow for other states in Nigeria,” he said.

The Managing Director of the Aba Integrated Power Project, Barr. Ugo Opiegbe disclosed that the company operates an embedded gas-fired power plant alongside a distribution system, with a peak power generation of 75 megawatts. He further stated that the company has built four new injection substations and thanked Governor Otti for his support since the commissioning of the project last year.

THE WHISTLER reports that members of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Osisioma North, Osisioma South, and Aba North, along with commissioners, special advisers, mayors, and other top government officials, were present during the facility tour.

Otti To Revive Star Paper Mill, Pushes For Energy Expansion In Abia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper